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Continental bumps Michelin as ALMS LMP Challenge supplier

February 28, 2013

Continental will take over for Michelin as the tire supplier for the American Le Mans LMP Challenge. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

The merger of Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series showed one more sign of being steered by the Grand-Am side on Friday when, as Autoweek suggested weeks ago, Continental announced that it is taking over as the tire supplier for the ALMS' Le Mans Prototype Challenge spec class. Michelin was the previous tire supplier.

Continental already supplies all the Grand-Am classes, and this nod to Continental may be part of an agreement that will allow Michelin and other manufacturers to offer tires for at least two classes in next year's combined series.

Continental will also become the presenting sponsor of the LMPC class with the official name being, “Prototype Challenge presented by Continental Tire.” Continental tires will debut in the LMPC class at the Continental Tire-sponsored, ALMS-sanctioned test, March 11-12 at Sebring International Raceway that will be the first time the LMPC competitors get to practice on the new rubber.

“Continental Tire is honored to step up and help support the PC class in ALMS this year,” said Travis Roffler, director of marketing for Continental Tire. “Sports-car racing continues to grow in the U.S., and we’re certainly eager to expand on our portfolio and showcase our technologies to such a dedicated audience. This is certainly a step toward the future of sports-car racing for us.”

Continental Tire will continue as the exclusive tire provider to the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series as well as the title sponsor of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series.